Numbering mechanism.



A. KRAUTH. NUMBERING MECHANISM. APPLICATlON FILED JULY 1. 1912.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

IHHHH SATE$ PATENT IllFlE lEQEQ ALBERT KRAUTH, 0F HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T9 KRAUTH 6r, BENNINGHOFEN, A

COPABTNERSHIP COMPOSED 0F HOFEN, OF HAMILTON, OHIO.

ALBERT KRAUTH AND CHRISTIAN BENNING- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr, 161, l ilt.

Application filed July 1, 1912. Serial No. 706,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT KRAUTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamilton, in the county of Butler and State of @hio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Numbering Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in consecutive numbering mechanism of a rotary printing type and primarily adapted to be used in conjunction with a printing press.

The object of my invention is to provide means for consecutively advancing a type character of a type disk or series of disks to bring the same into printing position relatively with an opposing platen cylinder with the consecutive advance made during the printing rotation of the type disks by reason of intermeshing toothed members one oi which engages with a stationary toothed member predeterminately arranged relative to the printing rotation of the type disk, whereby a step advancement can be had upon each printing rotation of the type disks, for changing the type characters thereof into and out of a printing position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a consecutive numbering mechanism, with a series of type disks adapted to print longitudinally with the travel of the paper or'at right angles to the axis of the shaft, rotating the disks relatively to an impression cylinder, with means for consecutively advancing the characters on the disks for a consecutive change of impression upon each printing rotation of the type disks, said means comprising rotative toothed elements adapted in their circuit to engage a stationary toothed element to impart a step advance to said rotative elements and in consequence to the type disks connected therewith.

rinother object of my invention isto provide means for quickly and conveniently interrupting a consecutive advance of a seof numbering disks, without interfering with their rotative printing operation, but merely discontinuing the consecutive change of character indications.

Another object of my invention is to provide consecutive numbering mechanism rice to be used in combination with printing presses primarily for printing autograph register strips with means for automatically continuing the consecutive advance of the numbering disks after a predetermined number of printing revolutions to permit the printing of a predetermined number of autographic register blanks without numbering to denote the length of the strip, so that it may be webbed in a size desired for its commercial use, and such unnumbered blanks or signatures serving a waste in loading the webs in an autographic register, so that the consecutively numbered blanks may not be destroyed. The consecutive numbering instrumentalities are also automati cally thrown into commission after each predetermined idle interval or period to continue the consecutive numbers for a second web blank.

Another object of my invention is to provide rotatively mounted consecutive numbering instrumentalities and tripping means therefor conveniently adjustable to position, the numbering mechanism relative to the paper passing between said numbering mechanism and its platen cylinder, which adjustment is independent of the mechanism for automatically discontinuing the consecutive operation, thereby avoiding any necessity of resetting or adjusting the automatictripping mechanism controlling the operation of the numbering mechanism.

The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pair of consecutive numbering units mounted upon the same shaft of a printing press, with the view illustrating a portion of the printing press and mechanism for automatically controlling in consecutive advance of the type disks of each unit.

Fig. 2 is a section on line '0, c, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on line w, a, Fig. 1.

The consecutive numbering mechanism herein is shown as applied to or forming a component of a rotary printing press whereby the printed matter fed through the press can be consecutively numbered and specifically is to be used in a type of printing presses forming the subject-matter of a separate co-pending application filed by me July 1, 1912, Serial No. 706,975. In said application numbering mechanism is referred to, together with means for interrupting at predetermined intervals the consecutive advance or change of the type characters on the disks which automatically interrupting controlling mechanism will be generally referred to herein for a clear conception of the mechanism herein contained. The invention, however, is primarily directed to the mechanism for consecutively advancing the type characters of each disk of a given series and broadly with means for interrupting such step-like advance or change of character.

The construction herein prints the number longitudinally with the travel of the paper, but the broad principles of the i11- vention may apply to numbering mechanism printing transverse to the travel of the paper, but in either form, the type disks are advanced by intermeshing toothed elements, one rotatively mounted, the second stationary, and in the path or circuit of the printing rotation of the type disks.

In the construction shown, a rotatable head is fixed upon a driving shaft containing a multiple series of numbering disks or two numbering units to print two numbers upon each rotation of the shaft and head, and in which each is consecutively advanced or their type characters consecutively changed by engagement in their circuit with a single shifting element. Since it is obvious that the number of units and the number of shifting elements is optional to a particular use and is impertinent or foreign to the subject-matter herein concerned, the description herein will be directed to the construction and operation of a single unit and thereby avoid multifarious description of duplicate elements.

1, 2, represent the side frames of a printing press, 3 a shaft journaled in bearings formed in said side frames upon which the numbering heads are fixed and rotated thereby, and 4 represents a gear adapted to be fixed by a clutch 5, to the shaft 3, the clutch controlling the engagement and disengagement of the gear with the shaft for throwing the same into and out of operative correlation and may be of any general or specific form of construction. The gear 4 is rotated from any source of power but in practice forms an element of a gear train for driving the various rotating elements of a printing press. 6 represents a numbering unit carrying member adapted to be adjustably secured upon the shaft 3 and rotating therewith, and, as illustrated, is shown as secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 7 bearing against a shoe or foot bar 8, splined within the shaft bore of the carrier member 6 to provide an increased area of friction clamp between the carrier member and shaft and to prevent marring of the shaft. By this means, a numbering unit can be adjusted longitudinally on the shaft for a proper printing registration with the paper. 9 represents a series of type disks journaled upon a pin 10, with the pin mounted in the carrier member. The type disks are provided with tumbler or transfer mechanism, which, upon each complete rotation thereof are adapted to successively engage into a notch of an adjacent type wheel of higher decimal value to advance the same one step. The consecutive transfer may be accomplished by any well-known construction common in the art for imparting the step movement from one disk to a second successive disk. The feature herein, however, is the impartingor conveying of step motion to the first disk of the series or in changing the type characters thereof into and out of a printing position by a rotative advancement. 11 represents the first disk of the series, its exposed face provided with a series of teeth 12, the number corresponding to the number of type characters radiating from the periphery of the disk or such number as will properly control a predetermined definite advancement or step rotation of the type disk requisite to produce the proper printing in its rotative engagement with the platen roll 13 fixed to a shaft sup- 95. ported beneath or parallel with the shaft 3. The platen roll 13 supports and feeds the paper web between it and the type carriers. 14 represents a star or toothed wheel journaled upon a screw 15 fixed to the carrier member 6, its teeth adapted to register between the teeth 12 of the type disk 11. This star wheel in its circuitous movement with the rotation of the carrier head is adapted to engage with a lug or tooth 16, projected from the arm 17, to advance the same one tooth movement upon each rotation of the carrier head 6, or the advancement can be multiplied during each rotation, dependent upon the number of teeth 16 contained in the circuit of the star wheel 1%; as illustrated, two teeth are provided owing to the employment of two numbering units to each carrier member. The arm 17 is shown as adjustably secured upon the slide rod 18 supported in bearings formed in the side frames 1 and 2. The connection between the rod 18 and arm 17 is comprised in a split sleeve 19, formed integral with the arm and through which the rod passes, and 20 represents-a hand screw for compressing the sleeve at the split portion thereof to frictionally clamp or combine the same to the rod 18. Thus, in moving the rod to the right or left it will move the arm to bring the tooth or teeth 16 into and out of the circuitous path of the star wheel 14 for an interruption of the step advancement thereof, without interfering with the continued printing rotation of the numbering units and which will enable the consecutive advance from its position of interruption when the advancing elements are brought into commission. This shifting may he accomplished either manually or automatically, with the automatic means preferably as herein disclosed, operating to move the stationary tooth holder to free its projecting tooth from intercepting or engaging with the toothed transmission wheel or w reels of the type disks and alternately move it into commission after a determined interval. 22 represents a beveled gear fixed upon the shaft 3 which is in mesh with beveled gear 23 fixed upon the shaft The shaft- 241 is journaled in suitable bearings fixed to the side frame 2, and provided with a worm in mesh with a worm wheel 25 suitably journaled upon the side frames. The periphery of the worm wheel is provided with an annular groove for receiving a lock bolt,

clamping a tripping dog 30 upon the periphery of said worm wheel. The number of teeth of the Worm wheel serve as a gage for setting the tripping dogs to define the number of consecutive printing operations to be had before the consecutive type wheel advancement is interrupted. The tripping dog in its circuitous path with the rotation of the worm wheel engages with an arm of the lever 26 pivotally supported to the side frame and pivotally connected to the slide rod 18 with the lever engagement with the dog controlling the movement of the slide rod. 27 represents a spring engaging a collar 9.8, fixed to the slide rod 18, for directing the slide rod to the right to automatically move the same in one direction upon release of tripping dog engagement.

In the form shown with the provision of two type-wheel units upon each rotative member or carrier 6, each wheel is advanced two steps during each revolution in pre senting the type characters from one printing position to a second, in which one unit would print the odd numbers while the second the even numbers for consecutive number printing on the strip. The number of units, however, may be varied as well as the relative rotation between the carrier and travel of the sheet, and the consecutive advance changed for various kinds of signa ture printing. as for instance, two successive signatures could be printed with the same number, or more, according to the number of type units. It is also obvious that any number of carriers or rota'tive members 6 may be mounted upon the shaft 3 to meet the particular printing wants.

@pposite the ends of the platen cylinder or roll 13, I provide the disks 31, 31 fixed upon the shaft 3 and adapted to engage with the periphery of the platen roll, which serve to relieve the shaft of any flexing strains and maintain the shaft 3 in parallelism with the platen roll, so as not to dis turb the printing contact of the numbering disks.

It will also be observed that the printing surface of the characters of the disks of a series as a unit are circumferential, all having a common radius which is essential in printing the number longitudinally with the travel or feed of the paper. When the numbers are disposed transverse to the feed of the paper they are all in straight; plane.

The numbering disks in their rotation engage with ink-distributing roller mecl anism, not shown, for transferring the ink to the type character printing surfaces, which mechanism is conunon and well known in the art.

In the use of this apparatus, a plurality of webs are fed over the cylinder or platen roll 13, and the several numbering devices are rotated into contact with a respectiv web at suitable intervals. The numbering devices as a unit comprise a part which may be termed as a toothed planet member which in its transit around the axis of shaft 3 in each cycle of the carrier intercepts the tooth 16 to impart a partial rotation thereto in a continuous direction for a type setting operation of the numbering de ices.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the class described, a. type disk carrier member, a series of type disks mounted thereon, lying in a plane transverse to the rotation of the carrier, a disk of the series provided with teeth ciroumferentially arranged, a toothed wheel mounted on said carrier, and rotating therewith, having its teeth engaged with the teeth of he type disk, a stationary toothed member mounted in the path of said toothed wheel to engage the same in the rotary movement of the carrier for consecutively advancing the type disk to shift its type characters into and out of a printing position.

2. In a device of the class described, a rotative carrier, a series of type disks a unit eccentrically located upon said carrier, and relatively progressively imparting periodical consecutive advance motion from one thereof as a prime mover, a circumferential series of teeth projecting from said prime mover of the series, a non-rotative toothed member projected coaXiuly with said carrier, and a toothed motion imparting memher as an intermediate planetarily mounted upon said carrier, intermeshed with the teeth of said prime mover, adapted to be engaged by said non-rotative toothed member, intermittently in each carrier cycle partially rotate said intermediate member.

3. in a device of the class described, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a carrier concentrically fixed upon said shaft, a series of numbering wheels mounted on said carrier on an axis transverse to that of said shaft, one numbering wheel of the series functioning as a prime mover for the series and provided with a circumferential series of teeth projected therefrom, an actuator journaled upon said carrier engaged with the teeth of said prime mover, and means for intermittently cooperating with said actuator in a carrier cycle, to partially rotate said numbering wheels for a concentric setting of the type characters thereof.

l. In a device of the class described, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotative carrier on said shaft, a series of type wheels mounted on said carrier, on an axis trans verse to that of said shaft, one wheel of the series functioning as a prime mover, a rotative actuator on said carrier connecting with said prime mover and a stationary member projected into the orbit of said actuator to partially rotate the same in each carrier cycle.

5. In a device of the class described, a pair of coacting rotative members, a numbering device mounted upon one of said members to cooperate with the other member, and including transmission means for changing the type into and out of printing position, a supporting member parallel. with the axis of said member carrying said numbering devices, and a member connected to said supporting member having a rigid detent projected to cooperate with the trans mission means of said numbering device at a determined point in the numbering device cycle about the axis of said carrying member, for determinately moving said transmission means.

6. In a device of the class described, a pair of coacting rotative members, a numbering device mounted upon one of said members to cooperate with the other member, and including transmission means for changing the type into and out of printing position, a supporting member parallel with the axis of said member carrying said numbering devices, and a member connected to said supporting member having a rigid detent projected to cooperate with the transmission means of said numbering device at a determined point in the numbering device cycle about the axis of said carrying member, for determinately moving said transmission means, and means for moving said supporting member for shifting said detent into and out of its functioning location.

7. In a device of the class described, a frame, a shaft, a rotative carrier on said shaft, a toothed planet member journaled upon said carrier, and rotating therewith in an orbital. path about the carrier axis, a rigid member stationed in the orbital path of said planet member adapted to intermesh with the teeth thereof and intermittently rotate said planet member on its own axis in each carrier cycle, and means for translating said rigid member to and from its functioning position with respect to a determined number of carrier cycles.

8. In a device of the class described,means for supporting and feeding a web, a shaft mounted parallel to said web feeding means, a rod parallel to said shaft, a carrier fixed on said shaft, numbering devices mounted on said carrier, comprising a part adapted upon a predetermined rotative movement to change the type exposed, an arm mounted on said shaft and fixed to said rod, having an element adapted to cooperate at a fixed station with said part in each carrier cycle to change the type exposed, and means for longitudinally translating said rod to interrupt the type change movement.

9. In a device of the class described, means for supporting and feeding a web, a shaftmounted parallel to said web feeding means, a rod parallel to said shaft, a carrier fixed on said shaft, numbering devices mounted on said carrier, comprising a part adapted upon a predetermined rotative movement to change the type exposed, an arm mounted on-said shaft and'fixed to said rod, having an element adapted to cooperate at a fixed station with said part in each carrier cycle to change the type exposed, and means for longitudinally translating said rod to interrupt the type changing movement comprising a gear connecting with said shaft, having a tripping dog adjustable around its periphery and adapted to cooperate with said rod.

10. In a device of the class described, means for supporting and feeding a web,

shaft mounted parallel to said web feeding 1 means, a rod parallel to said shaft, a carrier fixed on .said shaft, numbering devices mounted on said carrier, comprising a part adapted upon a predetermined rotative movement to change the type exposed, an arm mounted on said shaft and fixed to said rod, having an element adapted to cooperate at a fixed station with said part in each carrier cycle to change the type exposed, a member transmittingly connecting with said shaft and a trip dog adjustable thereon adapted to cooperate with said rod to translate the same to abnormally displace said arm to discontinue said predetermined movement of said part, whereby the numbering devices will repeat their printing performance without change of type exposure.

11. In a device of the class described, means for supporting and feeding a web, a shaft mounted parallel to said web feeding means, a plurality of carriers longitudinally adjustable on said shaft, numbering devices mounted on each carrier, each comprising a part adapted upon a predetermined movement to change the type exposed, a rod parallel to said shaft, a plurality of arms con necting said shaft and rod, one for each carrier, adjustable longitudinally upon said rod and shaft relatively toward and from its respective carrier, each having an element adapted to coiiperate at a predetermined station with said part in each carrier cycle to change the type exposed, a member transmittingly connecting with said shaft, a trip dog thereon, adapted to cooperate after a predetermined number of shaft cycles with said rod to translate the same and move said arms simultaneously to a position of release of their element from engagement with said parts to continue repeated performances of a given type exposure.

12. In a device of the class described, means for supporting and feeding a Web, a shaft mounted parallel to said web feeding means, a carrier on said shaft, numbering devices on said carrier, comprising part adapted upon a predetermined movement to change the type exposed, a rod parallel to said shaft, a member fixed to said rod, having a tooth stationed in the transit of said part to cooperate therewith and impart said predetermined movement, a member driven by said shaft, a trip element adjust able thereon adapted after a predetermined shaft cycle to translate said rod, and thereby discontinue said predetermined movement for type change, for a repeated performance of a given type exposure.

13. In a device of the class described, means for supporting and feeding a web, a shaft mounted parallel to said web feeding means, a carrier on said shaft, numbering devices on said carrier, comprising a part adapted upon a predetermined movement to change the type exposed, a rod parallel I to said shaft, a member fixed to said rod, having a tooth stationed in the transit of said part to cooperate therewith and impart said predetermined movement, a member driven by said shaft, a trip element adjust- ALBERT KRAUTH.

Witnesses:

CLARENCE B. FOSTER, Loorsn A. Bncx.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

